(2)“For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus – hath made me free from – the law of sin and death.(3)For what the law could not do – in that it was weak through the flesh – God – sending His own Son – in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us – who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” [Ro.8:2-4]
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth – that shall he also reap! (8) For he that soweth to his flesh – shall of the flesh reap corruption – but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting!” [Gal.6:7-8]
These two passages of holy scripture provide for us true children of 3xholy God — a wonderful New Year’s Resolution. In fact, they exhort us to pursue a resolution for a whole new life and walk through this sinful world. A resolution to follow – not the law – but the Spirit of Christ!
Rom.8:2 contrasts the freedom of “the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” with the bondage of “the law of sin and death”. With the sound principle of studying the Word of God — that stands absolutely true when it tells us that — “scripture interprets scripture” – let’s examine what the whole context of Ro.8:2 is here saying.
First of all, let’s contemplate what God’s Word refers to when it says: “the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus”. Remember 1Co.15:45 that says: “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul – the last Adam (Christ Jesus) was made a quickening Spirit.”. And, from Jn.10:10 Jesus said in reference to those who are described as being His sheep (for whom He died) – He said, “I am come that they might have Life – and that they might have it more abundantly!” And then there is also Jn.5:21 from where our Lord Jesus declares: “For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them – even so the Son quickeneth whom He will.” All of which makes perfect sense! Jesus is – without a doubt — the incarnated eternal Son of God. This means that He is – One with God the Father and One with God the Holy Spirit – and they are One with Him. This means that the Lord Jesus Christ — He is God!
Now what does the Word of God tell us concerning “the law of sin and death”? What exactly is this law? The Holy Spirit tells us from Ga.3:10-13> “For as many as are of the works of the law – are under the curse. For it is written, Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law – to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by [or lit. in] the law in the sight of God – it is evident! For “The just shall live by [or lit. out of] faith”. (12) And the law is not [out] of faith; but the man that doeth them [i.e. anyone that doeth — the works of the law] shall live in them.”
According to the Spirit, this scenario constitutes a fallen human effort in futility! Because, there is no approved and acceptable Justification before God that we can even hope to manufacture from our striving to live a righteous life out of the works of the law. But, Praise the Lord God our eternal Savior for vs.13 – which says: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law – being made a curse for us – for it is written: Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” This is the truth of the Gospel of Christ’s glory only! He bore the consequences of our curse so we could be clothed with His perfect righteousness! We will look more deeply into this next time.
For Christ’s Glory Only! John Carpenter
